So the Cell article makes a comment that some fig species are self-pollinators, and they make a quip about how monotonous that method of pollination is relative to wasp pollination.
The actual ratio of fig-wasp ratio seems inconsistent based on different articles. Some say there is a one-to-one, with one wasp species serving as the only pollinator for one specific fig species. One of the review articles above suggest that figs cannot be cross-pollinated, and so a fig wasp that leaves one specific fig species must pollinate the same species. This may be the reason for a 1-1 ratio possibly, if true. Some articles suggest that a few wasps serve as pollinators, but again they are rather ambiguous in this remark.
It's all a bit confusing due to inconsistencies in the literature, but in short if all fig wasps die out then likely only the self-pollinators will persist. I think the unique method of pollination by way of crawling into the ostiole means that very few pollinators are capable of such action. If you look up images of fig wasps most are very tiny- resembling small ants, and even the females struggle with the tight fit from entering the opening. This may explain the high degree of codependency, although the Cell article makes an interesting assumption that the number of fig wasp species may be comparable to bird species, so that's fascinating if true.
Thank you for this timely article. We are new to fig tree growing.
While we had very few figs on our two trees last year. Only one had started to produce any at all this year and these were quickly taken by the birds.
Next doors solitary fig tree, of many years, produces an abundance of beautiful figs. Which they vigorously prune every few years in order to encourage a plentiful harvest the following year.
Thank goodness for our neighbours who share their bounty with use because I love figs!
For us we actually did not do much besides planting it, and it seemed to have taken off all on its own. We got ours from a neighbor who had a fig tree- the people who used to live there were Greek.
I think ours is maybe only 3-4 years old? Weirdly, it really took off during 2021-2022 when some of my friend's trees didn't seem to bear much fruit. Somehow it really shot up during that time.
Unlike other fruits, figs really don't disappoint. I don't think I've had any fig from our tree that wasn't sweet, but that also explains the number of insects and birds that are around. 🤷♂️ I can be a bit squeamish, especially with tons of insects around, and so that can be an issue especially as our tree gets taller.
But they really produce a ton of figs! Hopefully yours grows large and bountiful. Last year it sort of became a near-daily thing to pick figs so once ours starting bearing figs it really just goes!
Very interesting! Nature is really amazing. So, if there were no more fig wasps, would figs just die out or do other pollinators ever come into play?
So the Cell article makes a comment that some fig species are self-pollinators, and they make a quip about how monotonous that method of pollination is relative to wasp pollination.
The actual ratio of fig-wasp ratio seems inconsistent based on different articles. Some say there is a one-to-one, with one wasp species serving as the only pollinator for one specific fig species. One of the review articles above suggest that figs cannot be cross-pollinated, and so a fig wasp that leaves one specific fig species must pollinate the same species. This may be the reason for a 1-1 ratio possibly, if true. Some articles suggest that a few wasps serve as pollinators, but again they are rather ambiguous in this remark.
It's all a bit confusing due to inconsistencies in the literature, but in short if all fig wasps die out then likely only the self-pollinators will persist. I think the unique method of pollination by way of crawling into the ostiole means that very few pollinators are capable of such action. If you look up images of fig wasps most are very tiny- resembling small ants, and even the females struggle with the tight fit from entering the opening. This may explain the high degree of codependency, although the Cell article makes an interesting assumption that the number of fig wasp species may be comparable to bird species, so that's fascinating if true.
Nature is so crazy! Thanks, MD.
Thank you for this timely article. We are new to fig tree growing.
While we had very few figs on our two trees last year. Only one had started to produce any at all this year and these were quickly taken by the birds.
Next doors solitary fig tree, of many years, produces an abundance of beautiful figs. Which they vigorously prune every few years in order to encourage a plentiful harvest the following year.
Thank goodness for our neighbours who share their bounty with use because I love figs!
For us we actually did not do much besides planting it, and it seemed to have taken off all on its own. We got ours from a neighbor who had a fig tree- the people who used to live there were Greek.
I think ours is maybe only 3-4 years old? Weirdly, it really took off during 2021-2022 when some of my friend's trees didn't seem to bear much fruit. Somehow it really shot up during that time.
Unlike other fruits, figs really don't disappoint. I don't think I've had any fig from our tree that wasn't sweet, but that also explains the number of insects and birds that are around. 🤷♂️ I can be a bit squeamish, especially with tons of insects around, and so that can be an issue especially as our tree gets taller.
But they really produce a ton of figs! Hopefully yours grows large and bountiful. Last year it sort of became a near-daily thing to pick figs so once ours starting bearing figs it really just goes!